Japan has 3 systems of writing. These are Kanji , Hiragana , Katakana.
Kanji are origanally Chinese symbols each symbol means a word.
Hiragana is 48 characters each stands as a syllable. Hiragana must be sounded out. It is used for writing words kanji doesn’t have. Hiragana is used for Japanese words only.
Katakana is a lot like Hiragana having 48 syllabic characters and like Hiragana, Katakana must be sounded out. Katakana is used to write words from other languages.
Japan has 3 systems of writing. These are Kanji , Hiragana , Katakana.
Kanji are origanally Chinese symbols each symbol means a word.
Hiragana is 48 characters each stands as a syllable. Hiragana must be sounded out. It is used for writing words kanji doesn’t have. Hiragana is used for Japanese words only.
Katakana is a lot like Hiragana having 48 syllabic characters and like Hiragana, Katakana must be sounded out. Katakana is used to write words from other languages.
http://www.japan-zone.com/new/pix/common_kanji.gif